Cleaning the gutters in the fall is an important autumn home maintenance chore. An optimally working gutter system completely free of debris ensures that water can easily flow through the gutter channels and exit the downspouts. Gutter cleaning is a necessary fall chore for several reasons including prepping for winter, preventing water damage, and ensuring that pests aren’t invited to take up residence.
The Roof’s Drainage System
Gutters control the flow of water coming down from the roof. Without gutters, rainwater would fall directly to the ground, splashing siding, soffit, and fascia, and eventually pooling near the foundation, causing soil erosion. Serious water damage is a nightmare to deal with and the roof’s drainage system is a home’s first line of defense against costly repairs.
Gutters clogged with leaves, twigs and other types of debris can cause overflowing gutters and leaks that damage your home’s exterior (siding, soffit, fascia) and the interior of your house. Depending on a number of factors such as local annual rainfall and a roofing system’s configuration, approximately two hundred thousand litres of water can run off of a roof into Vancouver gutters in one year.
Protecting the Gutters
Cleaning the gutters in the fall helps to protect the gutter system from sagging. If left for two seasons (autumn and winter), as the debris builds up in the gutters, clogs can allow standing water to form. The combination of debris and water might add enough weight to the gutter system causing the gutters to sag.
When debris is not cleared out of the gutter channel in the fall, it mixes with water and dirt, often creating a sludge that harms the protective coating that helps metal gutters resist rusting.
Preventing Emergencies
The last thing a homeowner wants is to deal with is an emergency involving the gutters, especially in the middle of winter or during a holiday. While we might not be expecting as many visitors to our homes this holiday season, it could get expensive if you have to make an emergency call to a gutter company during the winter months.
Uninviting Pests
As the temperature drops, birds, squirrels, rodents, chipmunks, and even raccoons look for somewhere to survive the cold weather. Roof overhangs shelter the gutters beneath the roofline from wind, rain, and snow. Gutter cleaning in the fall will make the gutters less appealing to winter nesters.
Maintaining Curb Appeal
Clean, sparkling gutters are important to your home’s curb appeal. In the lower mainland, fall brings unpredictable weather, with some sunny breaks. But winter is typically stormy and gloomy for days at a time. Maintaining curb appeal throughout the winter months creates a welcoming atmosphere for you and your family when you return home as the day becomes darker sooner.
